Councillors asked to agree consultation plan for next set of active travel schemes funded by government

A special meeting will take place next week to discuss the next set of proposed active travel schemes for consultation. These measures will support active, accessible and sustainable travel in Brighton & Hove, in line with strong instruction and funding from central government. 

Councillors will be asked to approve a consultation plan, which sets out the ways the council will meaningfully consult with the public and stakeholders on the proposals before they’re put in place. A range of methods for engaging on proposals are set out, including:

  • Questionnaires on the scheme proposals, both available online and in paper format;
  • Leaflets posted to properties close to the proposals, supported by postcards sent to properties in a wider area
  • Wider public opinion surveys
  • Focus groups with key community stakeholders such as disabled people and older people;
  • Working with businesses, schools and pupils. 

Following the consultation, proposed for a six-week period starting at the latest 1 February 2021, proposals will be designed in more detail, taking into account feedback from the consultation, and will be subject to approval by councillors at a future committee.

Public opinion surveys will also take place before and after any implementation, as well as scheme monitoring 

The council recently received £2.376m from the government’s active travel fund to progress schemes in the city, on top of the previous government award of £663,000 in June. The schemes being consulted on are:

  • Old Shoreham Road A270 – continuation of temporary protected cycle lanes from Hangleton Road to near the western city border (Applesham Way/Wolseley Road), taking into account previously agreed changes.
  • Kingsway/Wellington Road A259 – continuation of temporary protected cycle lanes from Fourth Avenue to the west
  • London Road A23 – permanent upgrade of existing cycle lane to protected cycle lanes and upgrades to key junctions
  • Western Road – permanent improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users to tie in with government funding the council has already secured

Changes to Madeira Drive, agreed by councillors in September, are being delivered under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order and therefore consulted separately. The road is currently operating one-way eastbound. Future work to be completed include provision of a cycle lane, increasing the number of blue badge bays and changing the orientation of Pay & Display parking.

The schemes will support the city in both the short and long term. Helping with the ongoing challenges faced by the Covid-19 pandemic while also tackling the climate crisis.

Amy Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee said: “The way we are moving around our city is changing and we need more options for travel.  

"We want everyone, to be able to travel safely, accessibly and sustainably around Brighton & Hove.

“Government has awarded Brighton & Hove City Council funding to continue work on active travel options and have offered more time to implement schemes. We are using this time to ensure that a consultation plan is in place so residents and other interested parties can comment.

“Covid-19 continues to present us with huge challenges and how we travel around the city has a part to play in our health. Providing more options for safe travel around our city can reduce toxic emissions and improve air quality, as well as improve our own physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“These changes also help to tackle the climate crisis and meet the city’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

“It’s important that residents, schools, businesses, community and stakeholder groups get to have their say on these measures and I am looking forward to a meaningful consultation early next year.

"In his letter to local authorities, the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said that consultation ‘should not be confused with listening only to the loudest voices’ and I’m very keen to hear what our city as a whole has to say on these ambitious plans for active travel.”

Watch the special meeting of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee on Friday, 18 December, from 2pm.

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